With new import, Barako Bull overwhelms Powerade

Revitalized by a new import, Barako Bull whipped Powerade, 101-91, and dealt the Tigers their first loss in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Astrodome Friday night.   Rodney White bucked the effects of stomach flu and torched the opposition for 29 points, including 14 in the opening half in his debut on Philippine soil.   The imposing presence of the 2001 NBA first round draft pick, a replacement for the injured Dermarr Johnson, allowed the Energy to hike their record to 2-3 overall and get out of the cellar currently occupied by Meralco 1-4.   Barako Bull lost in its previous three outings.   Powerade dropped to a tie for second place with idle Barangay Ginebra with a 2-1 win-loss slate as it suffered its first loss in the tournament, leaving defending champion Talk `N Text as the only unbeaten team, 3-0.   The Tigers were in control of the match in the first quarter, before the Energy turned things around in the second period when they outscored the opponents, 22-10, so by halftime, Barako Bull already had the lead, 46-35.   Don Allado, who had a season-high 15 points at 7-of-14 and 10 rebounds, had eight of his output during the telling stretch.   “This win definitely gives us the confidence going into our next game,” said Allado. “We now have to take every game with urgency from here on, since four teams will have to drop out, and we don’t want to be part of that.”   Two-time league MVP Willie Miller also had a hand in that second quarter breakaway. He finished with 24 points, top among the locals of Barako Bull.                 Ronald Tubid added 13 for the Energy, who got 10 turnovers from White.   A basket by Allado gave the Energy their biggest lead of the game, 76-58.   The Tigers cut it down to 94-86 in the final 2:12 and even had the chance to cut it further down but import Dwayne Jones missed from point blank range.   That was followed by an Allado basket at the other end to bring the lead back to double digits.   Gary David had 25 points to pace the Tigers, who also got 19 from Jones and a combined 32 from rookies JV Casio and Marcio Lassiter. — ELR, GMA News Scores: Barako Bull 101 — White 29, Miller 24, Allado 15, Tubid 13, Aquino 6, Najorda 6, Pennisi 3, Arboleda 3, Pena 2, Lanete 0. Powerade 91 — David 25, Jones 19, Casio 17, Lassiter 15, Anthony 9, Kramer 4, Cruz 2, Lingganay 0, Vanlandingham 0, Allera 0, Calimag 0, Adducul 0, Crisano 0. Quarterscores: 24-25, 46-35, 78-64, 101-91.